OUR VALUES & BELIEFS

We believe God has graciously connected us to Jesus.  Through Jesus, we are saved from sin, death, and the devil, and brought into the eternal Kingdom of God.  We are HIS now, and for all eternity. Our deepest longing is to truly follow Jesus in service and obedience.  Following Jesus means doing what he did - Jesus focused on seeking and saving the lost, so we seek (through repentance and faith) to die daily to ourselves and truly live for Jesus and others. (John 15:5, 12-16; Titus 3:4-7; Romans 6:1-4; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:23-24; Galatians 2:20, Matthew 20:25-28; 2 Cor. 5:14-17, Luke 19:10).

We believe we are called to be contributors not consumers.  Sometimes volunteers see themselves as something less than part of the family venture.  We want our volunteers to know that the work they do in Jesus’ church is not in vain. It is done in thanks and praise to God for all he has done for us, and, together, we will enjoy the fruit of this labor forever and ever in the Kingdom of God.  (John 15:15-16, Galatians 4:4-7, Rev. 3:21, 1 Corinthians 15:58).

We believe that God calls us to be “hilarious” (2 Cor. 9:6-7) and irrational givers in our community.  We believe it is easier to give money than time, and try to be a “change agent” by striving to be irrationally generous with the amounts of time we spend building relationships with the lost and disconnected around us - in order that they might be transformed by God’s Grace and Truth. (John 15:8; 2 Cor. 5:13-15; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

We believe the Risen Lord, Jesus, actually brings His Kingdom reign to us, and through, us!  (John 15:4-5; Luke 11:2-13; Luke 12:29-34, Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 3:14-21). Therefore, we fearlessly follow the Risen Jesus.  We are about mission, not maintenance.  We are about self-sacrifice not self-preservation. Our identity is not in a business or institution, it’s in Him. We refuse to get comfortable where we are. We will “bet the farm” over and over, and “go for broke” over and over, so that the lost and disconnected might be connected to Jesus and saved.

We believe Jesus’ GRACE, and the TRUTH of His inerrant and inspired word, has power to save and transform lives.  A church… a body… of believers that passionately share His Word without apology, will bring supernatural redemption to this earth! (John 1:14-17; John 15:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 1:16-17, Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:22-25).

We believe, in times of crisis, the harvest is the greatest.  (Luke 12:34-40; Matthew 24:9-14; Matthew 25:34-40) We will prepare our facilities and our homes to be sanctuaries for our neighborhood in times of crisis.

We believe it is a joy and a privilege to be part of Jesus’ eternal work.  Our service is not a burden or obligation. Jesus does not “need” us. We are saved by grace and we minister by grace.  The atmosphere of The Vine Church will be an atmosphere of JOY and all the fruit of the Spirit. (John 15:5, 16; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

We believe young families with children want their children to be with them in heaven and to lead productive lives on earth.  Our Vision for the future is “multitudes of families that are being transformed with God’s grace and truth through home-centered, Church-supported, discipleship.”  We see each household being lifted up by a church family full of spiritual grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and uncles, who are all being transformed to be brighter and brighter beacons of God’s grace and truth.  (John 15:8 &16; Mark 1:17, 1 Cor. 9:22, Deuteronomy 6:4-18).

We believe the greatest among us are those who serve.  We value those who serve and look for opportunities to honor those who serve! (John 15:9-14; John 13:14-15; Matthew 20:25-28).

We believe parents have the primary responsibility for discipling, teaching, their children.  We intentionally seek to disciple (teach) and resource our parents to disciple their children in the home. Our goal is fully mature and devoted followers of Jesus who give glory to God by living productive missional lives on this earth. (Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-16).